Short answer: the Zealot S97. It ranks #62 of 105 large speakers by sound quality (rated 3.4/5) at $78.62 and is still sold new; the Soundcore Rave Neo ranks #90 (rated 2.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Soundcore Rave Neo’s replacement, the Soundcore Rave Neo 2, is rated 4.2/5 at $84.99.
The Zealot S97 is the better-sounding pick. For a compact 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. Watch for: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music.
The Soundcore Rave Neo is the longer-running option. 50W powerful bass-heavy sound with clear mids and highs. It is rated for 18 hours of battery against 12 for the Zealot S97. The tradeoff: Muddy with treble rolloff.
Buy the Zealot S97. It is rated higher for sound quality; the Soundcore Rave Neo is no longer sold new.
Want more options? Browse the full Portable Bluetooth rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot S97 | Soundcore Rave Neo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $78.62 | $80 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #62 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #90 of 105 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | No | Yes |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) | 11” x 6” x 7” (279.4 x 152.4 x 177.8 mm) |
| Amplifier Power | 80W | 50W |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators | 1x 102mm woofer, 1x 51mm fullrange |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 60Hz |
| Maximum SPL | - | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Lights | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Zealot S97 compares with other leading options:
- Vifa Helsinki vs Zealot S97
- JBL Xtreme 5 vs Zealot S97
- Tribit Stormbox Lava vs Zealot S97
- Brane X vs Zealot S97
- Zealot S97 vs Minirig 4 with subwoofer
Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Zealot S97: $78.62 Amazon $78.62 eBay
Pros: For a compact 3.3kg boombox, the S97 delivers unusually deep, clean-enough bass with a more sensible default balance than many inexpensive Zealot models. It also brings IPX6 protection, aux and microSD playback, power-bank outputs, three EQ presets and PartyAdd linking.
Cons: It is not especially loud for its size, battery life is only a claimed 12 hours, and the bass preset can swamp the rest of the music. There is no app or fine-grained EQ, so the Vocal preset is the only practical way to improve the balance. It is still heavy for a speaker with this output ceiling.
Full Zealot S97 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 80W |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 12 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6” x 7.3” x 5.9” (321 x 185 x 151 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 76mm (3”) woofers + 2x 38mm tweeters + 2x passive radiators |
| EQ | 3 EQ presets |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | No |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs (3.3 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Soundcore Rave Neo: $80 Discontinued eBay
Newer model: the Soundcore Rave Neo 2, ranked higher, rated 4.2/5, released Oct 2022. See every Soundcore Rave Neo generation.
Pros: 50W powerful bass-heavy sound with clear mids and highs. IPX7 waterproof design with float capability. 18-hour battery life at moderate volumes. Beat-driven RGB lights, carry handle, USB-C charging, PowerIQ port charges devices, can link 100+ speakers via PartyCast. Measured bass extension of 60Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Muddy with treble rolloff. Discontinued.
Full Soundcore Rave Neo review and specifications →
| Released | Jun 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 60Hz |
| Battery Life | 18 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11” x 6” x 7” (279.4 x 152.4 x 177.8 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 102mm woofer, 1x 51mm fullrange |
| EQ | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Lights | Yes |
| Maximum SPL | 106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyCast up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A, 5V/2A) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| Strap | No |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 7.7 lbs (3.49 kg) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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